Infernal Justice Done Right
The Judge from Hell turned out to be unexpectedly therapeutic for me. I don’t know what that says about my psyche, but I caught myself grinning every time “The Judge” handed down her scorching, supernatural justice. Oopsie? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Story & Script:
Lady Justitia is a demon who decides whether sinners go to actual hell or the knockoff version. Then she messes up and gets punished by being yeeted to the topside (a.k.a. Earth). Her one-way ticket home? Send 10 murderers to hell within a year. Fail, and she’s permanently banished from Hell. She ends up possessing the body of a murdered judge, and that’s where the fun begins. The Judge from Hell tracks her journey from icy, no nonsense demon judge to someone capable of making decisions with feelings. There’s also a serial killer mystery woven through the story which fits surprisingly well with the rest.
The story is solid and uses its lore cleverly. The script is tight… mostly. It does wobble around the 2/3 mark. Honestly, this drama should’ve been 10 or 12 episodes, max. There are a couple of unnecessary tracks. And the romance? Meh. It works as a catalyst for Justitia’s growth, sure, but it didn’t have to be romance. Swap the love interest for, say, a kid or an old lady with a cat, and nothing major changes.
Actors & Characters:
Let’s be real. Park Shin Hye owns this drama. Completely. Her portrayal of Justitia in Kang Bit Na’s body is chef’s kiss good. No spoilers, but every time she delivered hell’s justice, it was cathartic in the same way Taxi Driver is, just with extra demon spice. Her manic glee practically jumps out of the screen, and her action scenes? So much fun. Also, Kang Bit Na’s wardrobe deserves its own fan club.
Meanwhile, Kim Jae Yeong as Han Da On… well, he is okayish. A bit bland. To be fair, the ML is basically a side character but he still did not grab my interest the way PSH did.
The supporting cast does what they’re supposed to, especially Arong and Mando. Lee Kyu Han, though.. maybe dial it down just a smidge? Tae Gyu’s permanently raised eyebrow made him feel more like a snooty drama queen than a chilling psychopath.
Overall:
The Judge from Hell is a wickedly good time. It’s stylish, cathartic and powered almost entirely by Park Shin Hye’s demonic brilliance. Hell of a ride (pun intended)!
Story & Script:
Lady Justitia is a demon who decides whether sinners go to actual hell or the knockoff version. Then she messes up and gets punished by being yeeted to the topside (a.k.a. Earth). Her one-way ticket home? Send 10 murderers to hell within a year. Fail, and she’s permanently banished from Hell. She ends up possessing the body of a murdered judge, and that’s where the fun begins. The Judge from Hell tracks her journey from icy, no nonsense demon judge to someone capable of making decisions with feelings. There’s also a serial killer mystery woven through the story which fits surprisingly well with the rest.
The story is solid and uses its lore cleverly. The script is tight… mostly. It does wobble around the 2/3 mark. Honestly, this drama should’ve been 10 or 12 episodes, max. There are a couple of unnecessary tracks. And the romance? Meh. It works as a catalyst for Justitia’s growth, sure, but it didn’t have to be romance. Swap the love interest for, say, a kid or an old lady with a cat, and nothing major changes.
Actors & Characters:
Let’s be real. Park Shin Hye owns this drama. Completely. Her portrayal of Justitia in Kang Bit Na’s body is chef’s kiss good. No spoilers, but every time she delivered hell’s justice, it was cathartic in the same way Taxi Driver is, just with extra demon spice. Her manic glee practically jumps out of the screen, and her action scenes? So much fun. Also, Kang Bit Na’s wardrobe deserves its own fan club.
Meanwhile, Kim Jae Yeong as Han Da On… well, he is okayish. A bit bland. To be fair, the ML is basically a side character but he still did not grab my interest the way PSH did.
The supporting cast does what they’re supposed to, especially Arong and Mando. Lee Kyu Han, though.. maybe dial it down just a smidge? Tae Gyu’s permanently raised eyebrow made him feel more like a snooty drama queen than a chilling psychopath.
Overall:
The Judge from Hell is a wickedly good time. It’s stylish, cathartic and powered almost entirely by Park Shin Hye’s demonic brilliance. Hell of a ride (pun intended)!
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